The XXV Olympic Winter Games in Cortina-Milano 2026 ended today.
„Arena di Verona“ - a Roman amphitheatre with a history of over 2,000 years, is hosting the emotional closing ceremony spectacle, which will be broadcast worldwide.
The grand finale of the Games will intertwine music, art and the pure spirit of sport, celebrating unity.
The event will pay tribute to all participants before the traditional handover ceremony to France (the next host), honoring the achievements and connections forged during the Games, while also looking to the future of the Olympic Movement.
The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are coming to an end. For years, Italian organizers have been under intense pressure due to tight deadlines and a series of construction delays, and the widely dispersed venues in northern Italy have created additional challenges. But now that the curtain falls with the closing ceremony of the "Arena di Verona", everyone can breathe a sigh of relief, BNT reported.
„At the beginning of the games we talked and you, Giovanni Malago, talked about the goals of the Italian team, which you surpassed in an impressive way. It was incredible, but also the Italian fans and spectators, the way they welcomed all the countries and applauded everyone. Some of the athletes in the different Olympic villages, when I went to stay with them, shared their memories of Cortina.
They talked about the opening ceremony and the way it was organized. They said it felt better than any other opening ceremony, even those in big stadiums, because they were able to be among the communities and greet the children.
Athletes shared photos of children leaning out of windows, shouting at them, throwing toys and flowers at them. This is the true passion of Italy. For that, thank you for making it alive and tangible. We are infinitely grateful for the hard work that you and your team have put in over the past months, and especially during these games. We really appreciate it“, commented Coventry.
Despite vocal opposition from the IOC, Italy decided midway through the 2023 preparations to build a new luge center in Cortina. The IOC had proposed moving the competitions to another country with an existing facility. The Italian government refused to move any of the disciplines out of the country and opted to build a new one, increasing the pressure on the already strained organizers.
But once the Games began, most operations went smoothly, surprising everyone. While the Olympic Games traditionally face initial difficulties or more serious problems that can affect the functioning of the facilities or even the atmosphere, the Games in Italy did not experience a major crisis, and the winter weather cooperated with impressive snow-covered Alpine landscapes. Initial concerns about transportation quickly subsided.
Mainly due to the limited number of spectators traveling between the two areas given the long travel times. Most fans chose to stay either in Milan or in the mountainous regions. The European time zone of the Games also led to increased viewership, both in Europe and in the key market of North America, compared to the previous two winter editions held in Asia.
“Thank you for never stopping believing in us and for showing us the way, for supporting us in the most difficult moments, which were not few, for so generously walking this path with us every step of the way. And above all, for the atmosphere of harmony and true cooperation that you created in our daily work, as well as for the mutual respect that characterized every discussion. What I take with me from these Games is a strong feeling summed up in a single word - unity. Together. Together again. We were truly stronger. Stronger than any challenge and any difficulty“, commented Giovanni Malago, President of the Milano/Cortina Foundation.